Stewart heads off to the ‘Land of Hope and Dreams’

Jon Stewart hosts "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" #JonVoyage on August 6, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Brad Barket/Getty Images for Comedy Central)

Jon Stewart hosts "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" #JonVoyage on August 6, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Brad Barket/Getty Images for Comedy Central)

Photo: Brad Barket, Getty Images For Comedy Central

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Stephen Colbert and Jon Stewart appear on "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" #JonVoyage on August 6, 2015 in New York City.

Stephen Colbert and Jon Stewart appear on "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" #JonVoyage on August 6, 2015 in New York City.

Photo: Brad Barket, Getty Images

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Jessica Williams, Hasan Minhaj, Aasif Mandvi, Stephen Colbert, Jon Stewart, Steve Carell, Jordan Klepper, John Oliver and Wyatt Cenac appear on "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" #JonVoyage on August 6, 2015 in New York City. less

Jon Stewart hosts "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" #JonVoyage on August 6, 2015 in New York City.

Jon Stewart hosts "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" #JonVoyage on August 6, 2015 in New York City.

Photo: Brad Barket, Getty Images For Comedy Central

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John Oliver and host Jon Stewart appear on "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" #JonVoyage on August 6, 2015 in New York City.

John Oliver and host Jon Stewart appear on "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" #JonVoyage on August 6, 2015 in New York City.

Photo: Brad Barket, Getty Images For Comedy Central

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Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band appear on "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" #JonVoyage on August 6, 2015 in New York City.

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band appear on "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" #JonVoyage on August 6, 2015 in New York City.

Photo: Brad Barket, Getty Images For Comedy Central

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Host Jon Stewart, Rob Riggle and Olivia Munn appear on "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" #JonVoyage on August 6, 2015 in New York City.

Host Jon Stewart, Rob Riggle and Olivia Munn appear on "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" #JonVoyage on August 6, 2015 in New York City.

Photo: Brad Barket, Getty Images For Comedy Central

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Jordan Klepper, Aasif Mandvi, Jessica Williams, Lewis Black, John Hodgman, Hasan Minhaj and Al Madrigal visit "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" #JonVoyage on August 6, 2015 in New York City.

Jordan Klepper, Aasif Mandvi, Jessica Williams, Lewis Black, John Hodgman, Hasan Minhaj and Al Madrigal visit "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" #JonVoyage on August 6, 2015 in New York City.

Photo: Brad Barket, Getty Images For Comedy Central

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Nate Corddry (center) Rob Corddry (right) and host Jon Stewart (left) appear on "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" #JonVoyage on August 6, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Brad Barket/Getty Images for Comedy Central) less

Nate Corddry (center) Rob Corddry (right) and host Jon Stewart (left) appear on "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" #JonVoyage on August 6, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Brad Barket/Getty Images for Comedy ... more

Photo: Brad Barket, Getty Images For Comedy Central

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Jon Stewart hosts "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" #JonVoyage on August 6, 2015 in New York City.

Jon Stewart hosts "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" #JonVoyage on August 6, 2015 in New York City.

Photo: Brad Barket

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Alexandra Mele, second from right, is interviewed and Ariana and Isaac Levin, embrace as they wait in line to enter for the final taping of "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart," Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015, in New York. Stewart says goodbye on Thursday, after 16 years on the show that established him as America's foremost satirist of politicians and the media. less

Alexandra Mele, second from right, is interviewed and Ariana and Isaac Levin, embrace as they wait in line to enter for the final taping of "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart," Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015, in New ... more

Photo: Mary Altaffer, Associated Press

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Musician Bruce Springsteen arrives for the final taping of "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart" on August 6, 2015 in New York City.

Musician Bruce Springsteen arrives for the final taping of "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart" on August 6, 2015 in New York City.

Photo: Michael Loccisano, Getty Images

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People receive posters while in line for the taping of the final episode of "The Daily Show" with Jon Stewart, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015, in New York.

People receive posters while in line for the taping of the final episode of "The Daily Show" with Jon Stewart, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015, in New York.

Photo: Viorel Florescu, Associated Press

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Actress Olivia Munn exits following the final taping of "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart" on August 6, 2015 in New York City.

Actress Olivia Munn exits following the final taping of "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart" on August 6, 2015 in New York City.

Photo: Michael Loccisano, Getty Images

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Jon Stewart leaves the final "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart" on August 6, 2015 in New York City.

Jon Stewart leaves the final "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart" on August 6, 2015 in New York City.

Photo: Mark Sagliocco, Getty Images

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Stephen Colbert attends the final "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart" on August 6, 2015 in New York City.

Stephen Colbert attends the final "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart" on August 6, 2015 in New York City.

Photo: Mark Sagliocco, Getty Images

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Comedian John Oliver attends the final "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart" on August 6, 2015 in New York City.

Comedian John Oliver attends the final "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart" on August 6, 2015 in New York City.

Photo: Mark Sagliocco, Getty Images

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Rob Corddry attends the final "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart" on August 6, 2015 in New York City.

Rob Corddry attends the final "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart" on August 6, 2015 in New York City.

Photo: Mark Sagliocco, Getty Images

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Jon Stewart hosts "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" #JonVoyage on August 6, 2015 in New York City.

Jon Stewart hosts "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" #JonVoyage on August 6, 2015 in New York City.

Photo: Brad Barket, Getty Images For Comedy Central

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Ed Helms (right) and Jon Stewart (left) appear on "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" #JonVoyage on August 6, 2015 in New York City.

Ed Helms (right) and Jon Stewart (left) appear on "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" #JonVoyage on August 6, 2015 in New York City.

Photo: Brad Barket, Getty Images For Comedy Central

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John Hodgman, Lewis Black, Aasif Mandvi, Jordan Klepper, Steve Carell, Jessica Williams, Samantha Bee, Hasan Minhaj, Kristen Schaal and Al Madrigal appear on "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" #JonVoyage on August 6, 2015 in New York City. less

Trevor Noah and host Jon Stewart appear on "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" #JonVoyage on August 6, 2015 in New York City.

Trevor Noah and host Jon Stewart appear on "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" #JonVoyage on August 6, 2015 in New York City.

Photo: Brad Barket, Getty Images For Comedy Central

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Jessica Williams appears on "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" #JonVoyage on August 6, 2015 in New York City.

Jessica Williams appears on "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" #JonVoyage on August 6, 2015 in New York City.

Photo: Brad Barket, Getty Images For Comedy Central

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TV personality Kristen Schaal exits following the final taping of "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart" on August 6, 2015 in New York City.

TV personality Kristen Schaal exits following the final taping of "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart" on August 6, 2015 in New York City.

Photo: Michael Loccisano, Getty Images

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TV personality Jessica Williams exits following the final taping of "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart" on August 6, 2015 in New York City.

TV personality Jessica Williams exits following the final taping of "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart" on August 6, 2015 in New York City.

Photo: Michael Loccisano, Getty Images

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TV personality Hasan Minhaj exits following the final taping of "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart" on August 6, 2015 in New York City.

TV personality Hasan Minhaj exits following the final taping of "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart" on August 6, 2015 in New York City.

Photo: Michael Loccisano, Getty Images

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Actor Al Madrigal attends the final "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart" on August 6, 2015 in New York City.

Actor Al Madrigal attends the final "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart" on August 6, 2015 in New York City.

Photo: Mark Sagliocco, Getty Images

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Jon Stewart exits the studio following the final taping of "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart" on August 6, 2015 in New York City.

Jon Stewart exits the studio following the final taping of "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart" on August 6, 2015 in New York City.

Photo: Michael Loccisano, Getty Images

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In this July 15, 2014 file photo, former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton reacts to host Jon Stewart during a taping of "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart," in New York. After more than 16 years and nearly 2,600 telecasts, Stewart will end his show on Aug. 6. less

In this July 15, 2014 file photo, former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton reacts to host Jon Stewart during a taping of "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart," in New York. After more than 16 years and ... more

Photo: Frank Franklin II / AP

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President Barack Obama, left, talks with Jon Stewart, host of "The Daily Show" during a taping, on Tuesday, July 21, 2015, in New York.

President Barack Obama, left, talks with Jon Stewart, host of "The Daily Show" during a taping, on Tuesday, July 21, 2015, in New York.

Photo: Evan Vucci / AP

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First lady Michelle Obama reacts to host Jon Stewart during a taping of "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" Tuesday, May 29, 2012, in New York.

First lady Michelle Obama reacts to host Jon Stewart during a taping of "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" Tuesday, May 29, 2012, in New York.

Photo: Frank Franklin II / AP

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In this Nov. 30, 2011 file photo, U2 frontman Bono, left, shakes hands with host Jon Stewart during a taping of "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" in New York. Bono brought awareness to his RED organization, which helps to fight AIDS, and spoke about his recent back surgery. After more than 16 years and nearly 2,600 telecasts, Stewart will ended his show on Aug. 6. less

In this Nov. 30, 2011 file photo, U2 frontman Bono, left, shakes hands with host Jon Stewart during a taping of "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" in New York. Bono brought awareness to his RED organization, ... more

Photo: Brad Barket / AP

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In this May 7, 2008 file photo, Republican presidential candidate, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., left, waves to the audience while speaking with host Jon Stewart at a taping of "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart," in New York. Presidential candidates found late-night comedy shows a particularly valuable asset during the 2008 campaign, making more than four times the number of on-set appearances than the 2004 contenders did. After more than 16 years and nearly 2,600 telecasts, Stewart will end his show on Aug. 6. less

In this May 7, 2008 file photo, Republican presidential candidate, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., left, waves to the audience while speaking with host Jon Stewart at a taping of "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart," ... more

Photo: Jeff Chiu / AP

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Ricky Gervias pokes fun at a video of Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert, and Steve Carell accepting the award on behalf of Gervais at last year's Emmy presentation when Gervais was unable to attend last year's ceremony at the 60th Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2008. less

Ricky Gervias pokes fun at a video of Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert, and Steve Carell accepting the award on behalf of Gervais at last year's Emmy presentation when Gervais was unable to attend last year's ... more

Photo: Mark J. Terrill / AP

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Jon Stewart, host of "The Daily Show," tapes a segment of the Comedy Central cable network's mock news program Thursday, April 20, 2000 in New York.

Jon Stewart, host of "The Daily Show," tapes a segment of the Comedy Central cable network's mock news program Thursday, April 20, 2000 in New York.

Photo: MARK LENNIHAN / ASSOCIATED PRESS

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Jon Stewart hosts a taping of Comedy Central's "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart", Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2007, in New York.

Jon Stewart hosts a taping of Comedy Central's "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart", Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2007, in New York.

Photo: Jason DeCrow / ASSOCIATED PRESS

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Stephen Colbert and Jon Stewart speak during the "Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear" on the National Mall on October 30, 2010 in Washington, DC. The Rally was hosted by Jon Stewart of the Daily Show and Stephen Colbert of the Colbert Report and was attended by hundreds of thousands of spectators with musical guests including Sheryl Crow, Tony Bennett and Ozzy Osbourne. less

Stephen Colbert and Jon Stewart speak during the "Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear" on the National Mall on October 30, 2010 in Washington, DC. The Rally was hosted by Jon Stewart of the Daily Show and ... more

Photo: Kris Connor, Getty Images

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In this Sept. 21, 2008 file photo, Stephen Colbert, left, and Jon Stewart make an award presentation at the 60th Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles.

In this Sept. 21, 2008 file photo, Stephen Colbert, left, and Jon Stewart make an award presentation at the 60th Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles.

Photo: Mark J. Terrill, AP

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Jon Stewart from Comedy Central's "The Daily Show."

Jon Stewart from Comedy Central's "The Daily Show."

Photo: Norman Jean Roy, Comedy Central

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Jon Stewart, center, reacts after "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart" won the award for best writing for a variety music or comedy series at the 61st Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2009, in Los Angeles. less

Jon Stewart, center, reacts after "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart" won the award for best writing for a variety music or comedy series at the 61st Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2009, in Los ... more

Photo: Mark J. Terrill, AP

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In this photo provided by Comedy Central, Jon Stewart, right, greets Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James during the taping of Comedy Central's "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart," Monday, Oct. 30, 2006, in Columbus, Ohio. less

In this photo provided by Comedy Central, Jon Stewart, right, greets Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James during the taping of Comedy Central's "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart," Monday, Oct. 30, 2006, in ... more

Photo: Kevin Fitzsimons, AP

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Bolivian President Evo Morales, left, speaks with Daily Show host Jon Stewart, right, on Comedy Central's "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" in New York, Tuesday Sept. 25, 2007. Morales's translator is seen at center. less

Bolivian President Evo Morales, left, speaks with Daily Show host Jon Stewart, right, on Comedy Central's "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" in New York, Tuesday Sept. 25, 2007. Morales's translator is seen at ... more

Photo: Peter Kramer, AP

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Jon Stewart poses backstage after his show, "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart," won an Emmy for both best variety, music or comedy series and best writing for a variety, music or comedy series at the 58th annual Primetime Emmy Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles August 27, 2006. less

Jon Stewart poses backstage after his show, "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart," won an Emmy for both best variety, music or comedy series and best writing for a variety, music or comedy series at the 58th annual ... more

Photo: Mario Anzuoni, REUTERS

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Democratic presidential nominee Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., left, appears on Comedy Central's "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart," in this Aug. 24, 2004, file photo in New York.

Democratic presidential nominee Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., left, appears on Comedy Central's "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart," in this Aug. 24, 2004, file photo in New York.

Photo: Conrad Mulcahy, AP

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Jon Stewart, host of "The Daily Show," interviews Sen. Bob Dole on the set of the comedy show Tuesday, Dec. 7, 1999, in New York.

Jon Stewart, host of "The Daily Show," interviews Sen. Bob Dole on the set of the comedy show Tuesday, Dec. 7, 1999, in New York.

Photo: Al Levine, Associated Press

Stewart heads off to the ‘Land of Hope and Dreams’

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Much of Jon Stewart’s hourlong finale Thursday as host of “The Daily Show” was like an extended “roll credits.” We were held in its thrall, of course, but secretly, or maybe not so secretly, we wanted more.

Then again, we’ve wanted more ever since Stewart announced he would leave his show after 16 and a half years.

The show opened with a cavalcade of current and former “Daily Show” correspondents, beginning with the current class, Jessica Williams, Jordan Klepper and Hasan Minhaj, in one of those trademark “Daily Show” teases we were always in on: Standing in front of a projected image of the Quicken Loan Center in Cleveland, they pretended to be reporting on Thursday’s Republican presidential debate. This tease was a little different than the hundreds that came before because it acknowledged what we’d been thinking for the past few weeks: If we couldn’t have Jon Stewart for the complete presidential campaign season, couldn’t he just stay long enough to comment on Cleveland?

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But it was not to be. Instead of what Bill O’Reilly once called “Daily Show” “gerrymandered” clips, we got a class reunion of correspondents-- Lewis Black, Rob Riggle, Kristen Schaal, Samantha Bee, Mo Rocca, Rob and Nate Corddry, and more, one after another, supposedly answering the call to be assigned to one GOP presidential contender or another, until the ruse went out the window and the big guns showed up: Steve Carell, John Oliver and then Stephen Colbert, who defied the scheduled commercial and forced Stewart to listen to a hilarious but heartfelt acknowledgement of what he’s meant to many of us over the years.

More thank-yous followed as we wound through the halls of the “Daily Show” offices with Stewart acknowledging staff members by first names, nicknames, or intentionally wrong names. There were funny good-bye clips from political and media celebrities, many of whom have felt the occasional sting of a Stewart barb-- Sen. John McCain with a Jon Stewart puppet? Hillary Clinton joked that the timing couldn’t be worse, since she was running for president, but you know? I bet she’s breathing a secret sigh of relief, too, because all the presidential contenders, Democrat and Republican, have enough to worry about without Jon Stewart razzing from the sidelines.

It wasn’t until the final third of the show that we perhaps realized we’d been waiting for Stewart to take the mask off all night long. He did, in a way, when he turned to the camera and spoke simply and directly about bulls—. He talked about benign BS and more damaging varieties, in our daily lives and in the world around us. And in doing so, he summarized what “The Daily Show With Jon Stewart” has been all about, all this time: Training us to be skeptical of various brands of BS that are the stock in trade of many politicians and others, including the media.

Stewart had to acknowledge the world was not in better shape than it was when he took over “The Daily Show” in 1999, but as he did so, he was expressing the hope that perhaps our sense of smell had been improved when it came to BS because of his half-hour four times a week on a TV comedy network.

Our collective moment of zen came with the surprise appearance of another Jersey boy and his band on the Comedy Central stage, performing “Land of Hope and Dreams,” then seguing into “Born to Run.”

Wait? “Born to Run?” That’s it! That whole farm in New Jersey thing is just a big con. Stewart’s going to run for office? Could it be?

Oh, probably not. But it was fun for a moment to ponder the idea, just as it was fun and a little poignant to ponder the idea of a “Land of Hope and Dreams.”

“What You Missed”: It was an emotional night as Jon Stewart said goodbye to “The Daily Show”. Politicians, news anchors, and previous “Daily Show” correspondents all offered Jon a fond farewell and thanked him for the job he’s done. You can

Media: Hearstdigitalstudios.com

It’s kind of a tradition for a late night host to pack in it to musical accompaniment. Bette Midler made Johnny Carson tear up with “One for My Baby,” the Foo Fighters played David Letterman off and, of course, who else but Bruce Springsteen could have played the swan song for Jon Stewart?

Overall, it was a classy farewell because it was simple, emotionally understated, really, and honest. It was obviously planned that way because when Colbert threw the script out early on, Stewart briefly registered the emotion he was trying hard to keep bottled up.

Stewart’s reserve began to crack just a little more toward the end. He said he didn’t want to look over at his wife Tracey and their kids in the audience when he was delivering his BS homily, his parting words to the congregation to take what they’d learned here into the world and into the days ahead.

All we could say at the end was, “We’ll try, but it’s not going to be easy.”

Thanks, Jon.

David Wiegand is a the TV critic and an assistant managing editor of the San Francisco Chronicle. E-mail: dwiegand@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @WaitWhat_TV